Karl,
Thanks so much for your workaround on this oil pressure switch. I got a deep
wall 24mm and 1/2" drive breaker bar and all work easily. I had tried everything
else w/little success. I was to the point of having my mech get the old press
switch off and then installing a remote pressure feed (stock Autometer
partnumber) for oil pressure gauges to get that switch out of there. I am
pasting your post in my Bentley should I ever have to do this again, I don't
think I'll forget, however.............
Thanks Again
Mark Magee

Karl Wolz wrote:

> Yeah.  Once you've done it three times n a week, it's real easy!
>
> Grab yourself a 13mm wrench and take of the water pump pulley.  If you do
> this, you've got pretty easy access to the sender.  The job is about 8000%
> easier if you use the correct tool, which is a deep well 24mm socket.
> Easiest is to put the socket on the sender and then put the wrench on the
> socket.  Due to space limitations, you're better off using a breaker bar
> instead of a ratchet.
>
> Once you've loosened it a bit, it should only be finger tight and an easy
> turn off.  Some say you need to use a screwdriver to push the sheet metal
> out of the way, but I didn't really need to do that.
>
> Karl
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "clerkin" <clerkin@STUDENTS.UIUC.EDU>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2001 12:28 PM
> Subject: Re: 86 vanagon Oil Pressure Switch
>
> > Well I got the right switch (the gray one) but I can't seem to figure out
> > where it goes.  Do you access it from above or below?  There seems to be
> some
> > sheet metal that I cannot get out of the way to get to the switch.  Any
> ideas?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Patrick
> >
> > >===== Original Message From Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET> =====
> > >Hi Patrick,
> > >
> > >You're dealing with two different animals here.
> > >
> > >The gauge sending unit screws into the low pressure outlet (.3bar).  The
> > >1.8/.9 bar switch screws into the high pressure outlet, which is located
> to
> > >the left of the main pulley and under the water pump.  Installing the
> gauge
> > >unit will not make your buzzer stop.  You need to pick up a .9bar sender
> and
> > >replace the 1.8 bar with it.
> > >
> > >Karl Wolz
> > >
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: "clerkin" <clerkin@STUDENTS.UIUC.EDU>
> > >To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > >Sent: Monday, July 09, 2001 4:34 PM
> > >Subject: 86 vanagon Oil Pressure Switch
> > >
> > >
> > >> I have a 1986 vanagon with an oil pressure light and buzzer which comes
> on
> > >> when the vehicle is warmed up and is above 2000 rpm.  It will also go
> out
> > >> around 3500 rpm.  The engine was rebuilt about 30k ago and the light
> came
> > >on
> > >> immediately.  When the mechanic was called about the problem, he said
> that
> > >he
> > >> must have put the wrong oil pressure switch in.  It has been run like
> this
> > >for
> > >> 30k without any problems, but I want to fix the problem (better late
> than
> > >> never.)  I decided to upgrade to a VDO guage and sender from the Bus
> > >Depot,
> > >> but the guy I talked to on the phone didn't seem like he had any idea
> what
> > >was
> > >> going on.  He told me that they did not sell the stock switch, and that
> > >the
> > >> only thing they had was the VDO switch and guage.  He also told me that
> > >their
> > >> VDO guage is not the dual guage (allowing both the idiot light and
> guage
> > >to
> > >> operate) which is in contradiction to their website.  In checking their
> > >> website I have found both of these statements to be false, but in their
> > >> defense, the man said Ron was gone and would return in a few days.  He
> > >said I
> > >> should call him about any specific questions.  Since I am still unable
> to
> > >get
> > >> any answers at the Bus Depot I thought I would try the list.
> > >>
> > >> 1.  Is the dual VDO guage set at .9 or 1.8 bar?
> > >> 2.  Is it normal for an engine with the improper switch to flash it's
> > >idiot
> > >>    light?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Thanks,
> > >> Patrick
> > >>